The Dusty Box

Author: Jessica Barratt

  • Wreck of the Cochituate

    Wreck of the Cochituate

    At midnight, on 30 June 1861, a man arrived in Fremantle in a state of exhaustion and starvation. He was a Dutchman named John Barlish and was part of the crew on the barque ‘Cochituate,’ of Boston, U.S.A. The ship left Melbourne on 7 May, bound for Singapore, when it struck West Reef of the…

  • Sea Bathing in the Victorian Era

    Sea Bathing in the Victorian Era

    …it is, unquestionable that bathing in the open sea is, in itself, a powerful restorative agency, which many persons may employ with very great advantage. Scientific American Volume 49 Number 07 (August 1883); Page 104; Sea Bathing It was this belief in the sea’s ‘powerful restorative agency’ that resulted in the increased popularity of sea…

  • The First Death at Paynesville

    The First Death at Paynesville

    In February 1899, the Leighton brothers were progressing with the erection of the Tremayne Mill at Paynesville. To get the mill running, they needed more water and, thus, it was necessary to deepen the water shaft of the Lady Maude mine. Three shifts were put on to carry out the work.  On Saturday, 11 February 1899, Ernest Harbordt was working the night shift in the water shaft with his mate,…

  • Cuthbertson Exploration Party

    Cuthbertson Exploration Party

    Western Australia – The Coming Colony. – Wanted, a few men, with 250l. each, to join a well-equipped expedition to explore and prospect this new El Dorado, under an experienced Australian explorer; good prospects and profits certain.- Address Cuthbertson. 46. Queen Victoria-street, E.C. [London] Walter Robert Cuthbertson’s advertisement attracted the interest of ten men: Philip…

  • Sister May

    Sister May

    Typhoid fever is still very prevalent in the colony. Last week 129 cases with 10 deaths were reported, as against 75 cases and eight deaths for the corresponding period of last year. Coolgardie Miner (WA : 1894 – 1911); 22 April 1896; Page 5; Typhoid Fever On 17 April 1896, Sister May, a trained nurse,…

  • A Lady’s Journey to Geraldton

    A Lady’s Journey to Geraldton

    At 7:45 am, in Perth, Edith Bickerton boarded the train bound for Geraldton. A postal worker, and occasional writer for the Western Mail, she decided to record her story for the newspaper. Printed in February 1905, she called it: “Along the Midland Railway. Perth to Geraldton. A Lady’s Journey.”

  • Married by Hoyts

    Married by Hoyts

    Determined to help during the depression, ‘The Daily News’ established The Golden Apple Appeal as a way to raise money for single unemployed women, children of the unemployed, and orphanages. The Appeal involved selling apples (provided by Western Australian growers) in Perth. Each apple was wrapped in paper and cost one shilling. The paper had…

  • Always Faithful to the End

    Always Faithful to the End

    Warning: this story discusses suicide. If you are struggling and need help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au. On 24 November 1929, His Excellency the Governor, Colonel Sir William Campion, officially unveiled Western Australia’s War Memorial in Kings Park. Built on a high point of the park, it overlooked the Swan…

  • The Great Wizard

    The Great Wizard

    Having completed a successful tour in South Australia, on 21 April 1868, Frederick William Auger Kohler, accompanied by his agent, Louis Peter, departed Adelaide for Fremantle. The brig ‘Emily Smith’ arrived a month later, on 19 May. Disembarking at Albany, Frederick, or, as he was professionally known, Professor Kohler, placed an advertisement in a newspaper…

  • Mount Magnet to Perth

    Mount Magnet to Perth

    Ironing clothes was the last straw. Employed as a housemaid at the Grand Hotel in Mount Magnet, Vera had had enough. Putting the ironing aside, she leaned over the ironing board and declared to her friend, “Hazel, I’m fed up; I want a change. I’m going to walk out.” Hazel exclaimed in response, “Me too!”…